March 2023

Grantee Spotlight

Finding new ways to grow older together



by Deneatra Harmon

For more than 35 years, SOWN (Supportive Older Women's Network) has been providing community support networks, educational workshops, healthy living programs, and other trusted resources for older adults in the Philadelphia area. Since 2002, SOWN has provided services to grandparent-headed families. Overall, the goal is to reduce social isolation so that older residents can continue to live stable, fulfilling, and independent lives. Additionally, SOWN works to strengthen community ties so that participants can remain as a vital support system to their grandchildren and others in their care.

Read more about SOWN here. 

Founders Fellows

Each month through April, we'll profile a first-year Founders Fellow. To learn more about the program, please visit the website or contact the Founders Fellowship Co-Chairs.

Sophie Whelchel is currently an Associate at Align Impact, a 100% impact-focused financial advisor, where she is sourcing and performing due diligence on direct investment opportunities largely in the areas of sustainable food & agriculture, resource efficiency, and social & racial justice.

Prior to joining Align Impact in 2020, she worked at Hamilton Lane, a private market investment firm, and Fidelity Charitable, a donor-advised fund platform facilitating the transition of philanthropic dollars to non-profits. Sophie holds a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. In her free time, she is an avid reader, a world traveler, and an artist.

Join early with a membership installment plan

It’s not too early to commit to 2024!

The membership books are open now through November 15, 2023. An Impact100 installment plan is a great way to pledge future membership and spread out the payments. A long-time member said, “I’ve paid by installments since the option was made available. I’m glad to be on the list of members who renew early. I’m starting right away this year because $100/month* is a lot easier to budget than paying the full membership fee in November!”

*Your amount due per month depends on which month you elect to start the installment plan. For full details or to start an installment plan, visit our website.

Reading the Room: How funders and allies can understand the needs of nonprofits by listening

Date: March 21, 2023

Time: 7 – 8 p.m.

Location: Zoom

Our virtual Spring Education webinar highlights key findings and lessons learned from the report "Reflecting Forward: Philadelphia-Based Black Leaders’ Recommendations For Regional Funders". Join the conversation and gain insights from the report authors on ways to connect report findings to their own work through grantmaking and other areas such as external engagement, communications, and programming. Our panelists will share examples of how their organizations have placed Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at the forefront of their strategy and operations.

Panelists include:

• Kelly Woodland – Managing Director, Leadership Equity, United Way
• Mindy Aldridge – President, Nelson Foundation
• Kimberly Kirn – Executive Director, Impact100 Philadelphia (moderator)

Visit our website to learn more about the speakers and read the report here.